This whole series is witty, sassy and fun. Poor Mira finds a body every month and January is no exception. In this edition, she's skating with her hot boyfriend and finds a guy under the ice... dead! Mira goes into crime-solving mode, while still running the library and writing for the local newspaper. I enjoy the different levels of story-telling that Lourey weaves. And I love the octogenarian characters, especially spunky Mrs. Burns. She's a pip!

The novel is well-crafted, the writing captivating, and the story progresses quickly toward its conclusion. I found the plot somewhat straightforward, which didn't completely convince me, but I believe it's a recommendable book for those looking for some pleasant company from a good read.

I love this series, love Mira, Mrs. Berns, and love the children who Mira befriended in this adventure. Mira discovers another dead body after being chased down by a zamboni driven by Mrs. Berns at a winterfest. She realizes she has seen this man before, and he may have taken part in saving her from some really bad guys just days before. Mira is still working on getting her PI license, taking on a few investigation jobs to count towards the required hours she needs to get licensed. She has PTSD after the Candy Cane Killer attacked her a month before, and is still healing physically and emotionally from that. Chief gets shot, Mayor Kennie has found a new niche, Mrs. Berns makes a new friend and they do not include Mira in their adventures. Mira is almost at her wits end dealing with everything. She then has some special house guests move in and they help each other get thru rough times...literally. I can't wait to read the entire series!

January Thaw by Jess Lourey was a fun and humorous cozy mystery.
A riveting mystery with an intriguing plot, packed with witty storytelling and characters you’ll instantly fall in love with.
Another great mystery and I love how the characters are developing over the series.

Mira James, investigator in training, decides to go ice skating and it turns into a case. She sees a corpse floating under the ice and learns it was a transient looking into local history. The man in question happen to have saved Mira and her friend the previous evening from a mugging. She wants to help him now by figuring out who murdered him. She starts by looking in to the same things the dead man was researching. Follow along and see where the clues take her and if they will lead her to a killer.

This is the 9th book in the Murder by Month Mystery Book series. Fun, quick murder mystery. I enjoyed the humor and this was the perfect length read. I will definitely be reading the other books in this series.

The book was so good. I figured out some of the twists but it was still very good................. There was many extra mysteries including the main one .

I love this holiday mysteries series, it's always suspenseful and imaginative. The books are fun and hard to put down, I loved this book in particular for the holiday season. It's funny and witty, and overall just a very enjoyable mystery.

Another fun installment in the Murder by Month series, and probably one of my favorites to date.

Mira and Mrs Berns are always a pleasure to spend time with, and this one feels like an especially well-crafted mystery supported by a really excellent sense of humor.

I appreciate the way Lourey deploys characters like the mayor, who would likely become obnoxious if we got too much of her, but who is hilarious in appropriate doses.

It was tough to imagine why the victim in this one showed up in Battle Lake in the first place, which made me worry a little that the author was running out of ways to make yet another murder reasonably plausible in this tiny town, but this ultimately adds up well in the end.

A fun read, and—as always—I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment.

First, I’d like to thank Jess Lourey and the publishers for continuing to deliver such an engaging and entertaining series with the Mira James Mysteries! As this series progresses, I find myself falling more and more in love with Mira and her quirky, hilarious adventures.

In January Thaw, Mira's antics are as captivating as ever. Her unique personality, combined with her sharp mind, makes her a protagonist you can’t help but root for. This book takes on a slightly darker tone, continuing the series’ trend of diving into weightier themes. However, the darkness is perfectly balanced with Lourey’s signature humor and a touch of romance, making for an enjoyable and engaging read.

The plot kicks off with Mira being attacked, only to discover the body of her rescuer the following day. This event leads her on a thrilling investigation to track down a drug dealer. As always, Mira’s determination and resourcefulness shine through as she dives headfirst into another mystery.

One of the standout elements of this book, as with the rest of the series, is the supporting cast. Mrs. Berns, in particular, steals the show with her wit and charm. Her dynamic with Mira adds a layer of humor and warmth that keeps readers coming back for more. The other supporting characters also bring depth and richness to the story, making the town of Battle Lake feel like a real, lived-in place.

Overall, January Thaw is another fantastic addition to the series. It’s a perfect blend of comedy, mystery, and just a hint of romance. I can’t wait to see where Mira’s adventures take her next! If you haven’t started this series yet, you’re missing out on one of the most delightful mystery series out there. Highly recommend!

After reading several previous books in the Murder by Month Mystery series by Jess Lourey, I was disappointed with January Thaw.

It’s difficult to even explain the plot of this story because it seemed so unfocused, with a scattered storyline. And, more to the point, it often was simply uninteresting and sluggish. There are lots of balls in the air and some elements seemed to be more after-thoughts rather than pertinent to the story. This included a paranormal aspect, family concerns, a romantic interest that was going nowhere, and even the murder itself.

The bright dialogue, interesting characters, and even the appealing humor – all things that are hallmarks of this series – are MIA in January Thaw. Overall, a disappointment. But, slumps happen and because I have enjoyed the other books, I’m more than happy to read on and hope to enjoy the next book a bit more. This is a 2.5 star book for me. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

January Thaw by Jess Lourey. There are moments of humor in this book along with plenty of mystery. A light and entertaining read with an interest mix of a quirky characters. Mrs. Berns has many laugh out loud moments and is without a doubt a favorite character.
Thank you to Jess Lourey, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I thought this was an okay book. It was very much the same as all her other books and to be honest has gotten to be a little monotonous. I was hoping for a little more but it was a fun quick read.

Thank you NetGalley! I’m having such fun reading this murder of the month series in order. I love following the storyline featuring make shift detective Mira James. This one has been my favorite so far.

Another great book to the monthly series! I loved the plot in this book, I thought it was very interesting. The characters were great as always. I will always recommend this series!

What do you get when you combine a dead body and no witness? Mira James with the help of Mrs. Berns are at it again in Jess Lourey’s newest romcom mystery. January Thaw comes with the thrills, chills, laughs and tears. Guaranteeing a good time. The characters are relatable. The story well developed and told. The plot is entertaining. Wonderful story and series. Jess Lourey is a mastermind with the murder by month mystery series.

Mugged in the alley!

Mira barely survived her last case. Crime has come to their small town. When she follows the sound of a crying baby into an alley she is ambushed by thugs. The intervention by one of her library patrons saves her. When he is discovered dead later and the sheriff is shot, Mira and Mrs. Berns decide enough is enough!

This review is for the revised version of the book. Mira and Mrs. Berns are a unique crime-fighting duo. The hilarity continues as they bumble their way through another case. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

Book #9 in this entertaining series. Part mystery, part romance, all fun, Mira James is still working on her private investigator certification when she finds a body under the ice. Since she had interacted with the man the evening before, she knows his death was not an accident. Mrs Berns is always helpful.....well, mostly helpful.....and always entertaining. The series continues as the characters mature and we get another dose of Jess Lourey's imaginative cozies.

I fall more in love with this series with each passing book. In this book, Mira finds herself still having a lot of anxiety due to the stalker/murderer in December Dread. She takes on a job to track down a missing heir. She and Mrs Berns find themselves at the mercy of a couple thieves. She ends up on the ice, where she stares down into the face of a recent hero, not frozen in said ice. Mira just can't stay away from a mystery, or a dead body. January Thaw will have you on the edge of your seat, right until the very last sentence.

The book starts off strong, immediately drawing you into its story and making you eager to learn more about the characters and their interconnected relationships.

Mira James juggles multiple roles in her small town of Battle Creek, MN—working at the library, writing for the newspaper, and aspiring to become a detective. She's deeply invested in her community but has an uncanny knack for stumbling across a dead body nearly every month. Currently, she's house-sitting for a friend when her latest adventure begins.

Mira and her friend are confronted by two men in an alley, but before the situation turns dire, Maurice—a Black man who has been frequenting the library—comes to their rescue. Maurice recognizes the gang tattoos on the two attackers, hinting at deeper connections and dangers in the town.

The book is packed with drama, action, and crime as Mira works tirelessly to uncover the culprits behind the troubling events plaguing Battle Creek. Along the way, she takes on a new case and navigates a series of unanswered questions.

Adding a delightful dose of humor and mischief to the story are two of Mira's senior-citizen friends. Their antics and resourcefulness often get Mira into trouble but also prove invaluable in uncovering critical information to help solve her cases.

This engaging mystery left me eager to dive into the rest of the series. I’m excited to read more of Jess Lourey’s work in the future!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.